Home»News»STANDOUTS FROM SESSION 1 OF THE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE SHOWCASE

STANDOUTS FROM SESSION 1 OF THE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE SHOWCASE

When MIAA head coaches Bob Shriver (Boys’ Latin, ret.) and Andy Hilgartner (McDonogh, current) started NHSLS back in 2013, they filled a tremendous need for college coaches who couldn’t easily attend many high school games in the spring for geographical reason. Though the summer circuit allows the opportunity to see a ton of players in the same place, evaluators wanted a more structured environment. After five years of existence, there may not be an event that is more raved about or more essential in seeing how a player can fit in at the next level.
“It’s very rare that we get a chance to see these recruits play with their high school teams,” said an assistant coach at a Top 20 program at the event. “To have the opportunity to observe them in a controlled setting with their teammates, and not at a showcase of individuals, is few and far between in evaluating our future. There is a difference in style and execution, and it offers us that glimpse into the future with a team setting.”

McDonogh (Md.) emerged victorious at Session 1 at NHSLS, knocking off Calvert Hall in the final. Recruiting Rundown was on site for each day, so check out the writeups below, with T.X. marking a writeup by Ty Xanders and T.O. marking a blurb from summer contributor T.J. Oursler. In addition, click the link for a look at the All-Tournament team.

Connor Maher ’18, M, Calvert Hall (Md.) – Uncommitted
College coaches learned this summer that there’s more top notch 2018 talent available than people realize, and once they saw how Maher was all over the field making crucial plays (then heard of his high academic profile), Big 10’s and ACC’s were all over him. Breaking out over the spring for the MIAA champs, the athletic lefty SSDM clamped down on some of the best offensive midfielders at NHSLS and is good enough that you can throw him on stud attackmen if longpoles struggle with their matchups. In addition, he was excellent off the wings and could contribute in transition. -T.X.

Tanner Hay ‘18, D, Victor (N.Y) – AlbanyThe tall, rangy lefty terrorized opposing attackmen throughout NHSLS by throwing precise poke checks, picking off numerous skip passes, and playing disruptive man-down defense. Hay’s high lacrosse IQ was also on display, as he routinely caused turnovers by doubling the ball carrier at the opportune moment, showcasing his unique ability to be both aggressive and under control at the same time. Once the ball was on the turf, the Albany verbal came up with it time and time again and galloped down the field, clearing the ball for his team. Hay was one of the most dominant defensemen at the event and was a major factor in Victor’s run to the semifinals, which included wins over Boys’ Latin and Ward Melville before bowing to eventual champ McDonogh. -T.O.

B.J. Farrare, M/LSM/D, McDonogh (Md.) – Loyola
Farrare’s been written about many times over the years, but seeing him play with his high school team (the champs at this event) gives you the best glimpse of just how much he brings to the table. Versatility, athleticism and well-roundedness are obviously huge qualities for a college prospect, and the future Greyhound provides all of that and then some. Charley Toomey may worry about his football prowess (he has three D1 offers so far), but he is a kid who is incredibly impactful whether it’s with a shortstick or longstick, LSM, close D or shortstick defense. He has a great stick and ridiculous foot speed, often jumping into the passing lanes for an interception and getting the ball into the Eagles’ offensive zone in a hurry. –T.X.

Austin Madronic ’18, A, Culver (Ind.) – CornellMadronic is the next in a long line of polished and crafty offensive players to come out of the prestigious Culver Military Academy in Indiana. The Cornell verbal is a prolific scorer who shoots the ball well from multiple angles and release points, which allowed him to record three goals in a game against the MIAA’s Loyola Blakefield. He did most of his damage from the right wing, but was also effective attacking from up top when sweeping to his right hand. On his first goal of the day, Madronic came off of a pick set just above GLE and ripped a low to high shot on the run that stung the top right corner. He also shot well with his feet set from around 10 yards, utilizing both overhand and sidearm releases to beat the goalie with ease. -T.O.

Joey Epstein ’18, A, Landon (Md.) – Johns HopkinsAt this point, if you’re facing Landon and not denying Epstein the ball in every settled situation, you should probably rethink the whole coaching profession. Even if you do, he’s still gonna get his (and that’s often a hat trick) in transition, which he demonstrated in the Highland Park game despite being played very well by UVA-bound Cade Saustad. One of the most admirable things about him is how hard-nosed and fearless he is turning the corner, and Maryland private school kids aren’t exactly lauded by college coaches for being tough kids. He’s explosive off the dodge, outstanding in time and room situations and has an outstanding overall feel for the game. Like many ’18 recruits this summer, Epstein’s making a very strong case for a top three ranking in the class.
Tate Young ’18, M, Westlake (Tex.) – PennYoung is a dynamic middie who uses his ridiculous athleticism and deep arsenal of dodges to break down defenses both in the 6v6 situations and in transition. In a Saturday afternoon contest against St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.), the future Quaker took over the game and willed his team to a hard fought one-goal victory, accounting for two goals and three assists, and securing his spot on the All-Tournament team. With his team down a goal in the closing moments of the game, Young blew by a shorty up top, sweeping to his left hand and unleashing an accurate sidearm shot that beat the goalie offside hip. Minutes later, he produced the game winning goal, beating his man down the left alley and delivering a beautiful skip pass to the ear of a teammate who finished it for an uncontested dunk on the crease. -T.O.

Blake Rodgers ’18, LSM/D, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.) – PG /Johns HopkinsThe future Blue Jay is a big, physical defenseman who made plays both in the half field and in the clearing game for his team throughout the tournament. Rodgers successfully disrupted the rhythm of opposing attackmen by constantly having his stick in their gloves and throwing well timed slap and poke checks that irritated his opponents to no end. He was also an asset in the clearing game, making smart and precise passes that showcased his impressive lacrosse IQ and stick skills. Rodgers is an intense competitor who will benefit from a year in the IAC, one of the nation’s top leagues, as well as a PG year in 2019. -T.O.

Brett Makar ’18, LSM/D, Yorktown (N.Y.)– MarylandMakar isn’t a recruit I get to see a whole lot in the summer (in fact, this was the only time) since Yorktown kids don’t really play much club ball, if at all. Building off of his reputation from past Maverik Showtime events, the future Terp jumped off the page and is essentially the heart & soul of his team. He’s tenacious as they come, possesses elite footwork and body positioning when covering all types of attackmen and just generally seems to do so much to help the team. Makar is a tremendous asset in the clearing game and can go to the rack (without forcing things too much), but as of now I think he fits best down on close D, especially considering what else that Maryland class brings in around him. -T.X.

Pete Fiorini ’18, M, Baldwinsville (N.Y.) – SyracuseThe silky smooth lefty’s offensive prowess was on full display at NHSLS, where he led Baldwinsville to a surprise run to the quarterfinals, which included an impressive win over perennial powerhouse Culver Academy from Indiana. Fiorini showcased his ability to attack the cage both down the alley and from the left wing, gliding by shorties and poles alike and unleashing hard left handed shots that routinely found the back of the net. The Syracuse verbal was also a force in transition, using his incredible foot speed and long strides to fly down the field, creating 4v3 fast breaks for his squad. -T.O.

Ben Finlay ’19, D, Gonzaga (D.C.) – Uncommitted
Like many D guys in attendance, watching Finlay with his high school team gives a full scope of just how much he’s able to do, even more so now that he’s stepped into more of a leadership role. Whether he’s putting the ball on the ground, taking face-offs, pushing the ball upfield and scoring (including one backhander we witnessed) or corralling key GB’s, he’s able to do it all consistently. The 5’11 rising junior deftly covers both the bigger types of attackmen in addition to the quick, jitterbug types. Everyone’s curious to see where he winds up as the fall recruiting window approaches, but there’s no doubt that Finlay was one of the better 2019’s at the event. -T.X.Ricky Miezan ’18, M, Episcopal (Va.) – North Carolina
Considering the fact that he was RR’s top-ranked 2018 recruit a year ago, I always make it a point to watch Miezan play whenever he’s somewhere, and he’s been focusing more on football this summer as he picks up steam as a mid-to-high D1 prospect. In the first half, it was slightly apparent that the freak athlete hasn’t played much lacrosse this summer, just going through the motions. In the second half, you see why he’s ranked where he is… and why Joe Breschi wore a huge smile a few feet down from me. He’s money in the open field with a frame that looks more like Myles Jones than a high school kid, and absolutely nails outside shots in a variety of ways. There’s really not much you can do to stop Miezan’s momentum, even if you send multiple guys at him. –T.X.

Liam Powderly ‘19, A, McDonogh (Md.) – Uncommitted Powderly built off of his impressive spring campaign for the nationally ranked Eagles, dominating with his fiery competitiveness and elite lacrosse IQ while helping McDonogh win the championship over MIAA foe Calvert Hall.Powderly is a polished dodger from X who scored four goals in a multitude of ways in a group-play game against IAC power St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes. With McDonogh up by nine in the final minutes of the game, Powderly’s intense competiveness was on full display, as he could still be found flying around the field, riding his tail off and picking up GBs like the game was on the line. Powderly’s phone should be extremely busy come September 1st, but he’s also a nationally ranked golfer with no shortage of high level college interest in that sport as well. -T.O.